A-nor-steroid derivatives and process of preparing same



United States Patent 3,060,230 Patented Oct. 23, 1962 Ofitice 3,060,230 A-NOR-STEROE DERIVATIVES PROCESS OF PREPARING SAME Tokuo Kubota, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, assignor to Shionogi & (30., Ltd., Osaka, Japan No Drawing. Filed Mar. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 183,360 8 Claims. Cl. 260-488) The present invention relates to steroid compounds and is more particularly concerned with 1,2-dioxo-A-norsteroids and the production thereof.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 93,370, filed March 6, 1961 and now abandoned.

It is an obejct of the present invention to provide a process for preparing 1,2-dioxo-A-nor-steroids. It is another object of the present invention to provide 1,2-dioxo- A-nor-steroids having pharmacological activities. Other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

The process of the present invention may be represented by the following partial formula showing only the A-ring of the steroid skeleton:

wherein R represents a hydroxyl or an oxo group and, when R is a hydroxyl group, the double bond shown by dotted line is indispensable. Otherwise stated, the following embodiments are included:

The process of the present invention is generally applicable to all hydroxy-steroids having the partial structure of Formula 1. Thus, the starting material of the present invention may be 1,2,3-trihydroxy-A -steroids, 1,2-dihydroxy-3-oxo-A -steroids or 1,2-dihydroxy-3-oxo-steroids of the androstane, pregnane, cholestane or spirostane series. The steric configuration of the hydroxyl groups on the A- ring of the starting material has substantially no effect on the reaction; that is, the hydroxyl groups may each have a-configuration or ,B-configuration. Furthermore, any substituents present on other rings do not exert any substantial efiect on the reaction and such groups as ll-hydroxyl, 17-hydroxyl or 17-side chain are not affected essentially by the reaction. Accordingly, such groups may exist at any position on the B-, C- or D-ring of the starting material. Examples of hydroxy-steroids available as starting compounds include 4-androstene-1,2-diol3,17- dione; 5a androstane 1,2,175 triol 3 one 17 propionate; 4 androstene 1,2,17fi triol 3 one 17 propiomate; 4 androstene 123,176 tetraol 17 propionate; 5,8 pregnane 1,2,11/3,17a,2l pentaol 3 one 21 acetate; 4 pregnene 1,2,11,B,17a,21-pentaol 3 one 21- acetate; 4 pregnene 1,2,3,1l,8,17a21 hexaol 21 acetate; 5oz pregnane 1,2 diol 3,20 dione; 4 pregnene- 1,2 diol 3,20 dione; 4 pregnene 1,2,3 triol 20- one; 50 pregnane 1,2,21 triol 3,20 dione 21 acetate; 4 pregnene 1,2,21 triol 3,20 dione 21 actate; 4-

, pregnene 1,2,3,21 tetraol 2O one 21 acetate; cholestane 1,2 diol 3 one; 4 cholestene 1,2 diol 3- one; 4 cholestene 1,2,3-triol; methyl 1,2-dihydroxy-3- oxo-4-cholenate; 25D-spirostane-1,2-diol-3-one; 25D-4- spirostene 1,2 diol 3 one; 25D 4 spirostene 1,2,3- triol; etc. (In the preceding exemplary compounds, the hydroxyl groups at the 1-, 2- and/ or 3-position may each have 00- or ,B-configuration.) These hydroxy-steroids may be prepared in per se conventional manner; e.g. by the oxidation of the corresponding A -steroids comprising treating the A -steroids with osmium tetroxide and pyridine at a temperature between 10 and 40 C. and treating the resultant intermediates with hydrogen sulfide while icecooling.

The process of the present invention comprises oxidizing the hydroxy-steroid having the partial structure of Formula I with manganese dioxide. The reaction may be carried out in an inert organic solvent at a lower temperature (preferably a temperature between 10 and 40 C.). The reaction is generally accomplished within about 6 hours, but strict control of reaction time is not necessary. As the reaction solvent, there may be mentioned, by way of example, benzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dioxane, acetone, t-butanol, etc. The employed manganese dioxide may be prepared in per se conventional manner, e.g. Rosenkranzs method (Mancera et al.: J. Chem. Soc., page 2189 (1953)).

The thus-produced A-nor-steroid derivatives show medicinal activities as antagonists to hormonic substances, and are valuable therapeutic compounds.

For example, a representative compound prepared by the process of the present invention, A-nor-3(5)-androstene-17,B-ol-1,2-dione 17-propionate, shows complete inhibition of gonadotropin hypersecretion Without significant androgenic activity in the castrated male rat which received a total of 10 milligrams. Accordingly, the compound is useful as (1) controlling agent for diseases of menopause; (2) ovulation-inhibition agent or contraceptive agent; and (3) controlling agent for hypergonadism or precocious puberty. Animal test data, e.g. with the rat, establish that the other compounds of the present invention also show specific activities. For instance, A-nor- 3(5)pregnene-21-ol-1,2,20-trione 21-acetate produces DOCA (desoxycorticosterone acetate) like action at a dosage of 5 milligrams and enhances the DOCA action when used simultaneously with DOCA. Furthermore, A-nor-3(5) pregnene 11,8,17a,21-triol-1,2,20-trione 21 acetate has a Na-excreting action. Thus, the products of the present invention have specific pharmacological activities.

The following examples illustrate methods of carrying out the present invention, but it is to be understood that these examples are given for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. In the following examples, mg.=milligrams, g.:grams, and ml.=milliliters.

3 EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of A-Nr-25D-3 (5 -Spir0stene-1,2-Di0ne To a solution of 25D-4-spirostene-1,3,26,3a-triol (300 mg.) in chloroform ml.), there is added manganese dioxide (3 g.), and the resultant mixture is stirred for 6 hours at room temperature (around 15 C.). The manganese dioxide is filtered oflf and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness and chromatographed over silica gel (3.0 g.). Elution with benzene and recrystallization of the eluate (188 mg.) from a mixture of chloroform and methanol gives A-nor-25D-3(5)-spirostene-1,2-dione (140 mg.) as yellow plates melting at 228 to 230 C. (decomp.). Negative in ferric chloride reaction. [(11 118 (c., 0.75 in chloroform.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation 0 f A-Nor-25D-3 (5 -Sp irostene-J ,2 -Di0ne To a solution of 25D-4-spirostene-113,2}8-diol-3-one (500 mg.) in chloroform (50 ml), there is added manganese dioxide (5 g), and the resultant mixture is stirred for 6 hours at room temperature (around 15 C.). The manganese dioxide is filtered 011 and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness and chromatographed over silica gel (5 g.). Elution with benzene and recrystallization of the eluate (333 mg.) from a mixture of chloroform and methanol gives A-nor-25D-3(5)-spirostene-1,2-dione (290 mg.) as yellow plates melting at 228 to 230 C. (decomp.).

The starting compound in this example, 25D-4-spirostene-1B,2fi-diol-3-one, is prepared by shaking 25D-4- spirostene-1,8,2[3,3o-trio1 with manganese dioxide in chloroform for 45 minutes under cooling in an ice-bath, removing the manganese dioxide and the solvent from the reaction mixture, chromatographing the residue on silica gel using benzene-chloroform (9:1 to 4: 1) and then chloroform as the eluting solvent and crystallizing the chloroform eluate from aqueous acetone.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of A-Nor-3 (5) -Chl0eszene-1 ,Z-Dione To a solution of 4-chloestene-1a,2a-diol-3-one (243 mg.) in chloroform (24 ml.), there is added manganese dioxide (2.4 g.), and the resultant mixture is stirred for 6 hours at room temperature (around 20 C.). The manganese dioxide is filtered 01f and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness and chromatographed over silica gel (2 g.). Elution with petroleum ether-benzene (1:1) and recrystallization of the eluate (48 mg.) from a mixture of acetone and petroleum ether gives A-nor-3 (5 )-chloestene-1,2-dione (32 mg.) as yellow plates melting at 118 to 119 C.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O C, 81.20, H, 10.48. Found: C, 80.75; H, 10.58.

The starting compound in this example, 4-chlorestene- 1a,2a-dio1-3-one, is prepared by allowing 1,4-chloestadiene-3-one to stand with osmium tetroxide and pyridine at room temperature for 8 days, adding petroleum ether to the reaction mixture whereby crystals are precipitated, inspiring hydrogen sulfide into the solution of the collected crystals in dioxane While ice-cooling, condensing the filtrate separated from the resultant mixture, chromatographing the residue on silica gel using benzene and/ or chloroform as the eluating solvent and crystallizing the eluate from methanol.

EXAMPLE 4 A-N0r-3 (5) -Pregnene-1 1,6,1 711,21 -Tri0l- 1,2,20-Tri0ne 21 -Acetate OHIOCOOHB Preparation of To a solution of 4-pregnene-1a,2a,11,3,17a,21-pentaol- U.V.: \:P1 282 my 6:5,600 1.15.55 5} 2.77, 2.80, 2.89, 2.98, 5.69, 5.75, 5.80, 6.06, 6.28,.

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O .H O: C, 62.54; H, 7.16. Found: C, 62.64; H, 7.19.

The starting compound in this example, 4-pregnene- 1a,2oc,l113, 17a,21-pentaol-3-one 21-acetate, is prepared from 1,4-pregnadiene-1l,8,17u,2l-triol-3-one 2l-acetate (prednisolone acetate) as in Example 3, but employing chloroform-methanol (99:1 to 49:1) as the eluating solvent.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of A-Nor-3 (5) -Androstene-1 718-Ol-1 ,2 -D ions 1 7-Propionate 0000211 OCOC2H5 To a solution of 4-androstene-1a,2a,17fi-triol-3-one17- propionate (500 mg.) in chloroform (50 ml.), there is added manganese dioxide (5 g.), and the resultant mixture is stirred for 6 hours at 30 C. Working up in the similar manner to Example 4, the crude product (275 mg.) is recrystallized from methanol to yield Amer-3(5)- androstene-17,B-ol-1,2-dione 17-propionate as scales melting at 160 to 162 C.

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O C, 73.22; H, 8.19. Found: C, 73.45; H, 8.29.

The starting compound in this example, 4-androstene- 1a,2a,175-triol-3-one l7-propionate, is prepared from 1,4- androstadiene-17 3-ol-3-one l7-propionate (l-dehydrotestosterone propionate) as in Example 3, but employing benzenechloroform (1:1) and chloroform as the eluating solvent.

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of A-Nor-3 (5 )-Pregnene-1,2,20-Trione 1% o Tic) QU To a solution of 4-pregnene-1a,2a-diol-3,20-dione (300 mg.) in chloroform (30 ml.), there is added manganese dioxide (3 g.), and the resultant mixture is stirred for 6 hours at a room temperature (around 20 C.). Working up in similar manner to Example 4, the crude product (192 mg.) is recrystallized from a mixture of acetone and petroleum ether to yield A-nor-3(5)-pregnene-1,2,20-

6 trione mg.) as scales melting at to 181 C; [od +75.3 (c., 1.029 in chloroform).

Analysis.Calcd. for (2201 12 03: C, H, 8.34. Found: C, 76.31; H, 8.44.

The starting compound in this example, 4-pregnene- 1u,2a-diOl-3,20-di0ne, is prepared from 1,4-pregnadiene- 3,20-dione as in Example 3, but employing chloroform as the eluating solvent.

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of A-Nor-3 (5) -Pregnene-2l -0l-1,2,20-Trione 21 -A cetate OHzOCOCHs CHzOCOCH3 v5 4 p15 HZQU ilj To a solution of 4-pregnenela,2a,21-triol-3,20-dione 21-acetate (300 mg.) in chloroform (30 ml.), there is added manganese dioxide (3 g.), and the resultant mixture is stirred for 6 hours at room temperature (around 20 C.). Working up in similar manner to Example 4, the crude product (193 mg.) is recrystallized from a mixture of acetone and petroleum ether to yield A-nor-3(5)- pregnene-2l-ol-l,2,20-trione 2l-acetate (136 mg.) as yellow prisms melting at 218 to 220 C. [a] +90.9 (c., 1.050 in chloroform).

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H 0 C, 70.94; H, 7.58. Found: C, 71.00; H, 7.67.

The starting compound in this example, 4-pregnene- 1a,2a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 21-acetate, is prepared from 1,4- pregnadiene-Zl-ol-3,20-dione 21-acetate (l-dehydrocortexone) as in Example 3, but employing chloroform as the eluating solvent.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of A-Nor-3 (5 -Androstene-1 7,8-01-1 ,2- Dione 17-Propionate OCOCzHs OCOCnH To a solution of 4-androstene-lw2ot,17,8-triol-3-one 17- propionate (50 mg.) in an organic solvent (20 ml.), there is added manganese dioxide (500 mg), and the resultant mixture is stirred for several hours at a temperature between 30 and 33 C. The produced amount of A-nor- 3(5)-androsteue-17fi-ol1,2-dione 17-propionate during the reaction is measured by ultra-violet absorption spectrum. The yield at the optimum reaction time for each solvent is tabulated as follows:

chloroacetone benzene carbon t-butanol Solventform tetrachloride Reaction Time, hours..... 6 4 4 6 4 Yield, percent 60 68 54 40 60.6

Having thus disclosed the invention, what is claimed is:

'1. A process which comprises treating a member selected from the group consisting oi androstanes, pregnanes, cholestanes and spirostanes wherein the A ring is substituted as follows:

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the re-' action is carried out within about 6 hours.

3. A process according to claim 1, wherein the reaction is carried out in an inert organic solvent selected from the group consisting of chloroform, acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, t-butanol and dioxane.

4. A-nor-3 (5 -cholestene-1,2-dione.

5. A nor-3(5)-pregnene-1118,17a,21-triol-1,2,20-tri0ne Ill-acetate.

6. A-nor-3 (5)-androstene-17B-ol-l,2-dione 17-propionate.

7. A-nor-3 (5)-pregnene-1,2,20-trione.

8. A-nor-3 (S -pregnene-21-ol-1,2,20-trione 2 l-acetate.

No references cited. 

1. A PROCESS WHICH COMPRISES TREATING A MEMBER SELECTED, FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ANDROSTANES, PREGNANES, CHOLESTANCES AND SPIROSTANES WHEREIN THE A RING IS SUBSTITUTED AS FOLLOWES: 